Skip to Main Content

Plant Utilities Assistant

Posting Details

Position Information

Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Position Title Plant Utilities Assistant
Classification Title Plant Utilities Assistant
Department Campus Operations
Posting Number C240034
Posting Link https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/48327
Employer State
Appointment Type
Classified Appointment Term Permanent/Contingent Permanent
Classified Position Type Competitive Classified
Temporary Until
Salary Grade SG09
Posting Detail Information

Position Summary
Facilities Campus Operations at The University at Buffalo is seeking a candidate to fill the role of Plant Utilities Assistant. Plant Utilities Assistants perform various tasks in a safe and efficient manner in operating stationary steam or high temperature hot water boilers rated at 15 pounds per square inch or more.

Key responsibilities include:
  • Maintain and repair chiller, boilers, pumps, other power plant auxiliary equipment, and electrical and mechanical stationary equipment
  • Respond to calls concerning mechanical, electrical or plumbing breakdowns to troubleshoot the problem, make necessary repairs or advise the appropriate authority regarding the problem.
  • Check mechanical rooms for correct operation of mechanical equipment.
  • Operate and test water softeners and boiler water for correct limits.
  • Take readings on meters and gauges to ensure proper operation.
  • Check air compressors, blow down and add oil as needed.
  • May supervise Plant Utilities Helpers as required.
  • Experienced incumbents may be assigned a limited number of activities requiring the full performance level skills of a Plant Utilities Engineer 1.


Outstanding Benefits Package
Working at UB comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus on creating and sustaining a healthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit – all in an effort to support your work-life effectiveness. Visit our benefits website to learn about our benefit packages.

About The University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America’s leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Departmental Operating Needs
The incumbent must have a basic understanding of the concepts of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technologies.

The successful candidate must:
  • Detail their qualifications and submit appropriate documentation with their application
  • Explain and demonstrate their skills and competency for this position
  • Communicate well with other employees and customers
  • Possess and have demonstrated positive customer service skills
  • Understand and follow written and oral instructions
  • Be willing and able to respond to after hour calls resulting from equipment and system failures that may arise at any time of day or any day of the week


The incumbent may be required to work during adverse weather conditions to ensure continuous operation of all BMS and HVAC systems.

Since the activities of other employees depend upon the availability of the employee in this position, reliable attendance is a factor that will be considered when filling this vacancy.
Minimum Qualifications
ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

  • Transfer eligibility requirement: You must have a current permanent appointment with a minimum of 1 year of service in a position of the same title or transferable title.
  • Reassignment requirement: You must hold the same title at the University at Buffalo.
  • Reinstatement requirement: You must be a former state employee to request reinstatement to the title that was held (or transferable title).


ANY APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THAT DO NOT MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED UNQUALIFIED AND WILL BE DISCARDED.

A completed application is required to be considered for this position.
  • If you have received a canvass letter, DO NOT APPLY to this position. You must apply to the Web address provided on your canvass letter.
  • Not on our canvass list:
    • Go to the Civil Service website to read the entire vacancy announcement and complete the application and supplemental questionnaire. Be sure to attach all documentation required to show proof of education and experience. This will be the only basis for rating your training, education, and experience.

    • Send completed applications by mail to:
      Human Resources
      Townsend Hall, 205 Hayes Road
      Buffalo, NY 14214

    • Applications and supplemental questionnaires received before the posting end date will be reviewed and graded by the Human Resources department at the University at Buffalo.
Preferred Qualifications
• A valid NYS Drivers license; or otherwise be able to demonstrate that the transportation requirements of the job can be met.
• EPA Universal Certification
• NYSDOH Backflow testing Certification
• NYSDEC Pesticide Certification
• Fall Arrest training
• Confined Space Training
• OEM Boiler Certification
• Lock-out/Tag-out training
• OEM Chiller Certification
• Cooling tower training
Physical Demands
You will be working near and on electrical equipment, gas-fired equipment, pressure vessels, and other equipment and in conditions that could potentially be hazardous if industry best-practices and safety procedures are not followed. The successful candidate is required to have confidence in their own abilities, and be able to work safely and proficiently on this equipment and in this environment, at any time of day or day or week.

Bending, twisting, ability to lift 50 pounds, climb ladders, access equipment located on mezzanines, catwalks, basements and crawlspaces. Ability to work off ladders, scaffolding, in confined spaces and/or where air monitoring may be required. Work in loud/noisy dusty/dirty environments. Candidate must be able to stand, walk, lift, carry, reach, push and pulling of material and equipment and must be able to perform the physical demands of the position as outlined in the Position Summary.
Salary Range $40,193
Additional Salary Information
Work Days Rotating Shifts (overtime, work on holidays, and non scheduled days may be required.)
Work Hours
Rotating Shifts
Type Full-Time
Campus All Campuses
Posting Alerts
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.
Is a background check required for this posting? Yes
Background Check Notification For non-internal applicants: a selected candidate will have to complete and pass a background check prior to appointment.
Contact Information

Contact's Name Jason Sammarco
Contact's Pronouns
Contact's Title Plant Utilities Engineer 3
Contact's Email jmsammar@buffalo.edu
Contact's Phone 716-881-7503
Posting Dates

Posted 02/26/2024
Deadline for Applicants Open Until Filled
Date to be Filled 04/30/2024

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Please indicate your current employment affiliation with the University at Buffalo.
    • Faculty
    • Faculty Student Association (FSA)
    • Research Foundation Employee
    • State Classified
    • State Professional
    • UB Foundation
    • TA/GA
    • Student
    • No Current Employment Affiliation
  2. * How did you first hear about this employment opportunity?
    • AcademicKeys.com
    • CareerExposure.com
    • CareerWomen.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • DiversitySearch.com
    • GoogleJobs.com
    • HERCjobs.org
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • IMDiversity.com
    • Indeed.com
    • LinkedIn.com
    • MBACareers.com
    • Conference
    • Personal Referral
    • UBJobs.buffalo.edu
    • Other
  3. * Please select your eligibility for application to this position.
    • Transfer Eligibility Requirement: you must have a current permanent appointment with a minimum of 1 year of service in a position of the same title or transferable title.
    • Reassignment Requirement: You must hold the same title at the University at Buffalo.
    • Reinstatement Requirement: You must be a former state employee to request reinstatement to the title that was held (or transferable title).
    • I do not meet any of the above requirements.

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents
Optional Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
  3. Certifications